BEVERLY HILLS, August 11, (THEWILL) – A former presidential candidate and Delta State Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Pat Utomi, has disclosed that not more than 60 people have been deciding the fortune of Nigeria for the past five decades, claiming that “there has never really been an election in Nigeria”.
Utomi, who is also the founder of Lagos Business School, stated this during a public lecture organised by the Evangelical Christian Union Alumni Fellowship Thursday. He asserted that members of the clique hold within their grasp the power to determine events in the country.
He lamented that Nigeria’s politicians are “mentally ill-equipped” for governance, pointing out that while Obafemi Awolowo was surrounded by intellectuals, present-day leaders are “accompanied by pimps”.
Utomi said, “This ‘class of capture’ has inflicted an anti-intellectual culture on the country. The club of capture can be grouped into three categories. The first is the moderniser wannabes. The value system of this category sabotaged their desire. The second are the narcissistic influencers, who are so consumed by their self-love.
“These people are contented with whoever is in power so far they can appoint the oil minister and others. The last are the entitlement-minded ones. Nigeria has become the entitlement of the last category.
“When those in the club of capture lose legitimacy, they look for ways to circumnavigate. They look for weak persons to push into positions of authorities so they don’t lose their grip on power. Nigeria has suffered from power capture for 51 years. Less than 60 persons have been deciding our fortunes for the past 51 years.”
Though Utomi is yet to formally declare his gubernatorial bid, his chances of success both at the APC governorship primary election and general poll in 2019 are however very slim.
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